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A leading firm in commercial circles had long struggled against bankruptcy.
長期以來，商業圈里某家主要公司反對美國破產法。
As it had large sums of money in California, it expected remittances by a certain day,
當時，這家公司有大量資金在加利福尼亞，原本指望在某一指定日子向外匯款，
and if they arrived, its credit, its honor, and its future prosperity would be preserved.
若款項按時匯出，它的信用名譽以及它未來發展機遇無疑將得以保障。
But week after week elapsed without bringing the gold.
但是，一個又一個星期過去了，這筆款項仍未支付。
At last came the fatal day on which the firm had bills maturing to large amounts.
最后，至為關鍵的日子眼看到來，這家公司數額很大的幾張匯票即將到期。
The steamer was telegraphed at daybreak; but it was found, on inquiry, that she brought no funds, and the house failed.
黎明時分，一份加急電報發給游輪，但經過咨詢發現，游輪并未攜帶現金，所以款項未能及時支付；
The next arrival brought nearly half a million to the insolvents, but it was too late;
游輪再次抵達時將差不多五十萬資金付予資不抵債者，但，所有一切太遲了，
they were ruined because their agent, in remitting, had been behind time.
這家證券交易所徹底破產了，因為他們的代理商未能及時匯款。
A condemned man was led, out for execution.
一位死刑犯即將被執行死刑，
He had taken human life, but under circumstances of the greatest provocation, and public sympathy was active in his behalf.
考慮到在被動激怒情況下，他才犯下人命，所以，公眾對他給予相當同情，
Thousands had signed petitions for a reprieve; a favorable answer had been expected the night before, and though it had not come, even the sheriff felt confident that it would yet arrive.
數千人聯名簽名請愿對他實施緩期死刑，上峰死緩回復有待在死刑執行前一天晚上送達。盡管批復未到，連執行司法官亦相信，緩刑已毋庸置疑。
Thus the morning passed without the appearance of the messenger.
第二天早晨，批復仍未到達。
